Other Info
Enrolment Procedures
Although children may be enrolled from the age of five, parents/caregivers of pre-schoolers are encouraged to have plenty of prior contact with the School and Junior Teacher. The Whitehall playgroup meets in the Whitehall Settlers Hall regularly and has contact with the School.
Community Consultation
In settling its policies and priorities, the Board of Trustees seeks direction from, and consults with school families and the wider community. Evening meetings of the teachers and the School community are held from time to time to discuss relevant issues or plan future developments.
Parents/Caregivers
There is a co-operative association between the community and the School. Parents/caregivers and others should feels most welcome to call in any convenient time to observe the School in action, perhaps joining in some activities and/or discussing matters with teachers.
Reporting to Parents/Caregivers
The School carries out its regular reporting on childrens progress at a personal level by way of discussion between parents/caregivers and teachers. Parents/caregivers are most welcome to discuss any concerns they may have at any convenient time. A Portfolio for each child are sent home at the end of each term and a written report on each child is issued in December.
Newsletter
The School publishes a district newsletter each month which the rural delivery contractor kindly delivers to each local household. The newsletter is used to advise of School events, inform the community of School programmes, advertise community events, convey notices, and in numerous ways, engender school/community relationships. School newsletters are published every week.
School Times
To allow the co-ordination of the school buses with other schools, the Whitehall School day is from 8.30am to 2.30pm. The first bus arrives approximately 8.00am. A staff member is on duty from this time.
Attendance
Regular attendance is both a vital component of successful schooling and a legal requirement. Parents/caregivers must make contact with the School PRIOR to any absence. A procedure has been developed (in the interest of childrens regular attendance and safety) whereby any morning a child is absent without prior notification, contact will be made with a parent (whenever possible) by 9.00am.
If children are being picked up after School, instead of travelling on the bus, a note or phone call is also required please.
Homework
The teachers encourage children to carry out activities at home as extensions of School activities. The type of homework will vary according to class levels and individual abilities. It can be a meaningful way of involving parents/caregivers and their childs learning.
Smoke free Environment
Smoking is not permitted inside any of the School buildings. The restriction applies to all staff, parents/caregivers, visitors etc, and includes daytime and evening use of the School.
Lost Property
Any clothing or property which children have abandoned is gathered and stored temporarily. There it remains for the children or parents/caregivers to claim. Children will be encouraged to take responsibility for the care of their belongings. At the end of each term, any clothing remaining is given away.
Complaints / Concerns
There is a clear policy regarding the expression of concerns related to the School or pupils welfare. In the first instance, matters regarding the governance of the school should be directed to the Board of Trustees Chairperson, whilst matters relating to School and classroom management must be directed initially to the teacher concerns then the Principal.
School Trips / Visits
The School often arranges appropriate day trips or visits as an integral part of the classroom programme. Parents/caregivers will be given adequate notification of such excursions. Written permission from parents/caregivers is required for each trip. When possible, parents/caregivers will provide transport to outside events.
Agriculture Day
The School sees childrens participation in Agricultural Club activities as a unique opportunity to develop many important personal attributes. Each spring, children are encouraged to rear and train a calf, lamb or kid goat and enter it into the School Agriculture Day competition early in October. Gardening is also available as an option. A fundraising gala is sometimes held in conjunction with this event.
Technical Arts
The Year 7 & 8 (Form 1 & 2) children attend Cambridge Middle School each Monday morning to take part in the tech arts programme.
Their tuition fees are paid for by the Board of Trustees.
The children are transported by parents. The tech arts teachers provide brief reports on the childrens progress throughout the year. Subjects are Fabric, Food Technology, Hard Materials and Visual Art.
Dental Nurse
The dental nurse is based at Cambridge Middle School.
She makes arrangements with parents/caregivers to have children taken there for treatment.